Terrorism

Lot of waffle below...

The German didn't discribe the French resistance as terrorist. That would
be a modern terms in a completely difference content.

Terrorism is a relatively moderm turn - which is a point often missed.
Go back 200 years and you will not find terrorism as we know. The reason for
this is simply that the difference between the populace and the military was
burred. Armies attacked civilians and civilians could instantly form armies.
In the 30 year war it was common pratice for invaders to kill
the local population and use terror. Does this make them terrorist?
Neither side though of them as terrorist...

I once again make the point that it is the use of terror which defines
a terrorist.

Terrorism can be state funded - i.e. inside the power structure. Take a
look at the IRA/Sein Fein they are definately inside the power structure;
or the Nazi party in 1930. Or in the Bible, Joshna using terror tactics
against the Philisteins {sp}.

The first big distinction between armies proper and freedom figthers/terrorist/
guerillas {sp} was in the Napoleanic wars in Spain. Before they were just
seem as part and parcal of normal warfare...

Daniel

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Snip
French resistance 1940's, Napoleonic wars late 18th C, early 19C.
The term terrorist was used specifically to describe the actions of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (later the IRA) in the late 19th C.
True. When I checked some notes last night I found my definition given yesterday should have included simply attempting to affect government policy. Saddam's state funded terrorists have a tendency to be used against other countries, he uses the 'Army' at home for terror on his own population.
Sinn Fein may be in the power structure but the IRA is not.
The Nazi's were bastards but not terrorists in the accurate sense of the word.
a terrorist.

It is one of the weapons in their armory, others are surprise, fear and a fanatical devotion to duty.
Sorry that's the Spanish Inquisition:-)

...............................................................................
clyth@
In relativity, matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter
how to move. The Heart of Gold told space to get knotted...
D. Adams Life, The Universe and Everything

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Lyth Chris said:
HAHAHA!

Thanks for providing my "laugh of the day" :-)

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Everyone keeps laughing at Chris Lyth for saying...
Maybe he means the *official* power structure? Or am I missing the
subtle irony here? Dammit, I'm a geologist, not a politician!

Dave C.

Yup
">the accurate sense of the word". This is a wonderful cyclic arguement.
The word I was looking for which describes a regime which keeps itself in power through use of terror is 'Dictatorship' or 'tyrant'. Check your thesaurus for other apt words. Use of terror is not confined to terrorists.
The bastards who use it to keep in power are worse morally speaking as they are not fighting for a Cause (yes Cause with a capital C)
Also people keep using Use of terror to mean targetting civilian population only. This is also inaccurate.
eg. What emotion were the Vietcong attempting to instill in invading US soldiers ?
terrorism can target soldiers as well as civilians.

...............................................................................
clyth@
In relativity, matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter
how to move. The Heart of Gold told space to get knotted...
D. Adams Life, The Universe and Everything

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We will let you off then...
Why ?

Surely they are they are fighting for a cause, that cause being to
keep peace in their country/regime and promote their ideals outside
of that country regime.
By this definition all wars and military actions could be defined as
terrorism (not that's necessarily incorrect).

Paul.
"Power does not corrupt, it merely attracts the corruptible" - Frank